I love Christmas. I love giving and receiving gifts. Unfortunately for my family and friends, I don't do well when it comes to joining these two things together. My first problem is that I don't really enjoy shopping. Enough said. The second problem is that I prefer to give gifts throughout the year and not do an obligatory blowout on one day.
There is also the unsettling commercial aspects of Christmas. How do we carve out a place of genuine beauty and simplicity in a landscape of excessive winter holiday commercialization? Have we made this day of celebration into a season of idol worship? I know that sounds a bit harsh, and you should know that I do not pretend to have any answers.
Celebrations are not a bad thing. The giving and receiving of gifts is a lovely part of family, friendship and a wonderful way to express appreciation. Parents love to give gifts to their children. But I wonder if we don't often get caught up in the foot race that is the public display of "Christmas spirit" and neglect the personal dedication to daily "walk in the Spirit."
I am making a choice not to panic. We will celebrate Christ's birth and the gift of His love for us. There will be laughter and singing and food and fun -- with memories made together as a family.
Am I a scrooge? No. I do not believe that I am. Will my children have presents on Christmas morning? Yes. I believe they will. But in order for that to happen I need to do some shopping. Herein is love -- that I will shop for Christmas presents for my children even though I do not enjoy shopping. Oh, and then there's the wrapping. Did I mention that I don't enjoy wrapping presents!?!
2 comments:
I have enjoyed simplifying things with the kiddos, yes they have their long list of wants, but we look to the gift of the magi and try to focus on three things for them.
We use the amazon wish list and learn more about the children during this time of year, what they enjoy doing at other places things they have learned about through church or friends.
Amen. The worst Christmas of my life was not in 1988 when my dad had died only 2 days before but in 1997 when I had over-extended myself and children to too many activities. I was stressed and burned out. I vowed then that I would learn to take things more slowly. Since then I remind myself and my two little ones to smile and go slow and easy whenever we go to town. There are tons of people out there hurting and sometimes the fullness of Christmas heightens their loneliness. A smile and a gentle spirit is a good thing. Happy birthday, Jesus. I hope your birthday is peaceful and joyous for all this year.
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